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Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) newly elected executive mayor, Lusanda Sizani has developed a 100 days in office working programme that seeks to overhaul the provision of water and sanitation to communities around the district.
Sizani, who was recently elected unopposed as ANC regional chairperson during a regional general council, took over the reigns without any opposition.
Taking over the highest political office in the district paved his way to the mayoral seat as regional chairs have always been mayors in recent history.
Council speaker, Jongumzi Cengani announced the vacancy left by former executive mayor Wongama Gela and the need to fill the vacant position.
He read out Gela’s resignation letter where he thanked both the political and administrative leadership.
Accepting the responsibility, Sizani said he was humbled by trust and confidence to serve as the mayor.
“In anticipation of being given this responsibility, I sat with the municipal manager, Gcobani Mashiyi and we drafted a 100 day working plan. The plan will focus, in the main, on water and sanitation provision. It will also focus on revenue collection through the installation of smart meters. Job creation and health services will also be improved,” he said.
Sizani said that the interests of young people should be addressed while dealing with job creation while SMMEs should be developed to enhance the local economy which will in turn respond to socio-economic challenges.
Addressing the thorny issue of water provision where taps can run dry for hours and even up to days at a time, Sizani said no effort will be spared to ensure communities get the best services.
“We will provide lean water without interruptions. The requests from local municipalities for us to cart water to them will come to an end. Local municipalities will focus on road construction, housing, and other responsibilities. We will improve water and sanitation infrastructure and clear all sewerage spillages, but we ask the communities to work with us and protect the infrastructure,” he said.
Sizani said that the council was constituted of a collective of capable councillors and administrative workers who would positively impact on the people of the district and build a district of choice.
The mayoral committee was unchanged with Noncedo September Caba as deputy executive mayor, Nosipho Papiyana as political head for integrated planning and economic development.
Tembisile Bobo remains portfolio head for the special programmes unit with Bongeka Nobuntu heading infrastructure development and Sinomtha Lali at health and community services.
Thumeka Bikwana continuing at corporate services and with the first of-its-kind move where Sizani will oversee the budget and treasury office. When Sizani was deployed to council earlier in the year, he took over as a portfolio head for the office.
